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Introduction: Is Intermittent Exotropia being conceived and treated as an ocular-mechanical problem? Is etiology taken into account when planning for intervention? Which success criteria are used? Are they based on alignment or do they also consider visual function? In order to answer these questions, a review of studies assessing the outcomes of strabismus surgery in Intermittent Exotropia has been conducted. Methods: published between January 2003 and December 2023 were included. The database searched was MEDLINE following a predefined protocol. In addition to electronic database searches, manual searches were carried out and experts contacted. A total of 102 studies comprising 12 974 participants were included in this review. Results: Possible strabismus etiology was not stated in 91.2% of the studies. The underlying causes of the deviation were not taken into account for treatment consideration in any of the studies. Criteria for surgical success was based solely on ocular alignment (82.4%) and only 10 studies (9.8%) defined successful surgery with both motor and sensory criteria. Thirty-four different definitions of successful ocular alignment were identified. Discussion: In conclusion, Intermittent exotropia etiology is omitted in studies assessing surgical outcomes. The possible causes of the deviation are not taken into account when deciding on the type of surgery and are rarely mentioned. In most studies, the criteria for surgical success is based solely on eye alignment, independently of visual function and control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the short‐term (1 week after completion of treatment) effect of office‐based vergence and anti‐suppression therapy (OBVAT) on binocular vision and accommodative function when compared to observation alone in children with small‐to‐moderate angle intermittent exotropia (IXT). Methods: In this single‐masked (examiner masked), two‐arm, single‐centre randomised clinical trial, 40 participants, 6 to <18 years of age with untreated IXT were randomly assigned to OBVAT or observation alone. Participants assigned to therapy received 16 weeks of OBVAT (60 min per visit, once per week) with home reinforcement (15 min per day, 5 days a week). Therapy included vergence, accommodation and anti‐suppression techniques. This paper reports the results of clinical measures of binocular vision and accommodation, including fusional vergence, near point of convergence, vergence facility, amplitude of accommodation, the Worth 4‐dot test and the Fusion Maintenance Score (FMS). Results: Treatment group differences at the primary outcome visit significantly favoured the OBVAT group (n = 20) over the observation group (n = 16) in negative fusional vergence break point at both distance (p ≤ 0.001; r = 0.58) and near (adjusted mean difference: 12.3 Δ; 95% CI: 5.3–19.3 Δ; p = 0.001; partial eta squared: 0.28), positive fusional vergence break point at both distance (p = 0.009; r = 0.43) and near (adjusted mean difference: 20.6 Δ; 95% CI: 11.8–29.4 Δ; p ≤ 0.001; partial eta squared: 0.41), vergence facility (adjusted mean difference: 5.6 cpm; 95% CI: 1.9–9.4 cpm; p = 0.005; partial eta squared: 0.22) and the FMS (p = 0.007; r = 0.44). Conclusions: In this randomised clinical trial of participants aged 6 to <18 years with IXT, those in the OBVAT group had a significantly better fusional vergence range, vergence facility, near Worth 4‐dot test result and FMS than the observation group at the 17‐week visit. The improvement in these areas further support the effectiveness of OBVAT for improving IXT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Active vision therapy for amblyopia shows good results, but there is no standard vision therapy protocol. This study compared the results of three treatments, two combining patching with active therapy and one with patching alone, in a sample of children with amblyopia. Methods: Two protocols have been developed: (a) perceptual learning with a computer game designed to favour the medium‐to‐high spatial frequency‐tuned achromatic mechanisms of parvocellular origin and (b) vision therapy with a specific protocol and 2‐h patching. The third treatment group used patching only. Fifty‐two amblyopic children (aged 4–12 years), were randomly assigned to three monocular treatment groups: 2‐h patching (n = 18), monocular perceptual learning (n = 17) and 2‐h patching plus vision therapy (n = 17). Visual outcomes were analysed after 3 months and compared with a control group (n = 36) of subjects with normal vision. Results: Visual acuity (VA) and stereoacuity (STA) improved significantly after treatment for the three groups with the best results for patching plus vision therapy, followed by monocular perceptual learning, with patching only least effective. Change in the interocular difference in VA was significant for monocular perceptual learning, followed by patching. Differences in STA between groups were not significant. For VA and interocular differences, the final outcomes were influenced by the baseline VA and interocular difference, respectively, with greater improvements in subjects with poorer initial values. Conclusions: Visual acuity and STA improved with the two most active treatments, that is, vision therapy followed by perceptual learning. Patching alone showed the worst outcome. These results suggest that vision therapy should include monocular accommodative exercises, ocular motility and central fixation exercises where the fovea is more active. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess the long‐term stability of clinical measures of convergence (near point of convergence [NPC] and positive fusional vergence [PFV]) in participants enrolled in the Convergence Insufficiency Treatment Trial‐Attention and Reading Trial (CITT‐ART) who received 16 weeks of office‐based vergence/accommodative therapy. Methods: A total of 310 children, 9–14 years old, with symptomatic convergence insufficiency were enrolled in CITT‐ART. Some 270 completed both their 16‐week primary outcome visit followed by a 1‐year follow‐up visit. Of those 270, 181 (67%) were randomised to the vergence/accommodative therapy. Of the 181 in the vergence/accommodative group, 121 (67%) reported not receiving any additional treatment after the 16‐week primary outcome visit. The mean change in NPC, PFV and percentages of children classified by the predetermined success criteria of convergence (normal NPC [<6 cm] and/or improved by ≥4 cm; normal PFV [passing Sheard's criterion and base‐out break >15Δ] and/or improved by ≥10Δ) were compared at the 16‐week primary outcome visit and 1 year later. Results: Of the 121 who returned for their 1‐year follow‐up visit, there was no significant change in mean adjusted NPC (reduction of −0.2 cm; 95% CI: −1.0 to 0.5 cm) at 1 year. There was a statistically significant decrease in mean‐adjusted PFV (−4.7∆; 95% CI: −6.5 to −2.8Δ) at 1 year. There were similar percentages of participants classified as 'normal' (p = 0.30), 'normal and/or improved' (p > 0.50) and 'normal and improved' (p > 0.14) based on NPC and PFV at the 1‐year visit compared with the 16‐week primary outcome visit. Conclusion: The improvements in NPC and PFV following 16 weeks of vergence/accommodative therapy (with no reported additional treatment thereafter) in children with symptomatic convergence insufficiency persisted 1‐year post‐treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AIM: To observe the effect of orthokeratology combined with vision therapy and Clouclip(OCVTC)on myopic children with dysfunctional accommodation.METHODS: A prospective, non-randomized control study was conducted on 99 myopic children(99 eyes)with dysfunctional accommodation at the optometry center were of Langfang Aier Eye Hospital from April 2022 to January 2023. and they selected and divided into three groups: 39 children in OCVTC group, 30 in orthokeratology(Ortho-k)group, and 30 in single vision spectacle lens(SVL)group. The OCVTC group received office-based accommodative therapy for 3 mo and home reinforcement for 3 mo, and Clouclip was used in the first 3 wk to monitor and remind children of eye habits; the accommodative amplitudes and facility were measured at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 mo after treatment.RESULTS: The OCVTC group showed significantly better improvement in accommodative amplitude compared with both the Ortho-k group and the SVL group(all P

AIM: To assess the clinical efficacy of visual therapy in children with abnormal visual functions and asthenopia.METHODS: Retrospective case study. The data of 57 patients(114 eyes), aged 8.25±1.94 years, who underwent visual training at the optometry center of Xi'an Children's Hospital between January 2022 and April 2023, were collected. Patient assessments before and after training included refractive errors, a visual fatigue scale questionnaire, and visual function tests. These tests included the Worth 4 Dot for binocular vision, the Von Graefe method for measuring latent strabismus at distance and near, the gradient method for assessing the accommodative convergence/accommodation(AC/A)ratio, the push-up test for convergence near point, the negative lens method for amplitude of accommodation, the cross-cylinder test for accommodative response, and the flipper test for accommodative flexibility. Training programs were tailored based on the initial assessments of visual function and asthenopia. Comparisons were made between pre-training, 1 and 3 mo post-training evaluations.RESULTS: At baseline and 1 mo post-training, the visual fatigue scores were 26.00±6.77 and 19.57±8.90, respectively(P0.05). Furthermore, no significant differences were noted in the binocular amplitude of accommodation, NRA, PRA, and near phoria between 1 and 3 mo after training(all P>0.05). The visual function parameters of 30 patients with low myopia(SE: -1.99±1.22 D), 3 patients with low hyperopia(SE: +1.01±0.13 D)and 24 patients with emmetropia(SE: +0.25±0.11 D)were not statistically significant before training and at 1 mo after training(all P>0.05). Certain visual functions significantly improved at 1 mo after training, and most had returned normal by 3 mo.CONCLUSION: Vision therapy significantly enhances binocular visual function and alleviates symptoms of asthenopia in children with visual dysfunction. It is an effective, straightforward, and easily applicable method for relieving children's visual fatigue.

Purpose: This study aims to compare the effectiveness of pencil push-up training and binocular vision training in treating post-operative mild under-correction in patients with intermittent exotropia. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted, including patients who underwent surgery for intermittent exotropia at Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between June 2022 and January 2023 and experienced post-operative mild under-correction (-8∆ to -15∆). Patients were divided into two groups: pencil push-up training group and binocular vision training group. All patients underwent measurements of exodeviation and stereoacuity at distance and near, sensory fusion, and fusion convergence amplitude. The data were analyzed using independent sample t-tests, repeated measures analysis of variance, and Chi-square tests. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in exodeviation at distance and near between the two training groups before the training. After 6 months of training, the exodeviation at distance and near achieved a significant decrease in both groups (P < 0.05), and the pencil push-up training group showed a similar distance and near exodeviation compared to the binocular vision training group (t = 1.58, P ＞ 0.05; t = 0.43, P ＞ 0.05). After 6 months of training, the binocular vision training group exhibited significantly superior stereoacuity and fusion convergence amplitude compared to the pencil push-up training group (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Both pencil push-up training and binocular vision training are effective in reducing exodeviation in patients with post-operative mild under-correction of intermittent exotropia. However, binocular vision training demonstrates superior efficacy in restoring stereopsis and fusion convergence amplitude compared to pencil push-up training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study was aimed at analyzing the efficacy on the improvement of the visual function of a dichoptic online cloud-based platform for the treatment of amblyopia in anisometropic children. Methods: A quasi-experimental (pretest–post-test) study was conducted in 23 subjects with ages from 5 to 15 years old with anisometropic amblyopia combined with additional presence (2 subjects) or not (21 subjects) of microtropia. A total of 30 home-based training sessions of 30 min per session with Bynocs® platform were prescribed for 6 weeks. Results: Amblyopic eye logMAR visual acuity (VA) significantly improved from 0.28 ± 0.24 to 0.13 ± 0.20 after the 6-week treatment (p < 0.001). At baseline, 60.9% of participants had VA in amblyopic eye of 0.20 logMAR or worse, whereas this percentage decreased to 21.7% after treatment. Binocular function (BF) significantly improved from 2.82 ± 1.11 to 2.32 ± 0.94 (p < 0.001). Mean compliance was 92%, 87% and 93% at 2, 4 and 6 weeks of treatment, respectively. Conclusions: In conclusion, home-based dichoptic training with the digital platform evaluated is an effective method to improve amblyopic VA and stereoacuity in children with anisometropic amblyopia combined or not with microtropia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to compare the effectiveness of pencil push-up training and binocular vision training in treating post-operative mild under-correction in patients with intermittent exotropia. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted, including patients who underwent surgery for intermittent exotropia at Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between June 2022 and January 2023 and experienced post-operative mild under-correction (-8∆ to -15∆). Patients were divided into two groups: pencil push-up training group and binocular vision training group. All patients underwent measurements of exodeviation and stereoacuity at distance and near, sensory fusion, and fusion convergence amplitude. The data were analyzed using independent sample t-tests, repeated measures analysis of variance, and Chi-square tests. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in exodeviation at distance and near between the two training groups before the training. After 6 months of training, the exodeviation at distance and near achieved a significant decrease in both groups (P < 0.05), and the pencil push-up training group showed a similar distance and near exodeviation compared to the binocular vision training group (t = 1.58, P ＞ 0.05; t = 0.43, P ＞ 0.05). After 6 months of training, the binocular vision training group exhibited significantly superior stereoacuity and fusion convergence amplitude compared to the pencil push-up training group (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Both pencil push-up training and binocular vision training are effective in reducing exodeviation in patients with post-operative mild under-correction of intermittent exotropia. However, binocular vision training demonstrates superior efficacy in restoring stereopsis and fusion convergence amplitude compared to pencil push-up training.

Purpose: To report the change in the magnitude of near exodeviation in children with symptomatic convergence insufficiency successfully treated with office‐based vergence/accommodative therapy in the Convergence Insufficiency Treatment Trial–Attention and Reading Trial. Methods: A total of 131 children 9–14 years of age with symptomatic convergence insufficiency classified as successfully treated with office‐based vergence/accommodative therapy at the 16‐week outcome visit were included. Masked examiners measured the near ocular deviation by the prism and alternate cover test at baseline, primary outcome and 1‐year post‐treatment. The mean change in near deviation was calculated from baseline to primary outcome, from primary outcome to 1‐year post‐treatment and from baseline to 1‐year post‐treatment. Results: Of the 131 participants successfully treated with vergence/accommodative therapy, 120 completed the 1‐year post‐treatment visit. A significant change in near exodeviation was observed at baseline to primary outcome (2.6Δ less exo, p < 0.001, moderate effect size d = 0.61) and at baseline to 1‐year post‐treatment (2.0Δ less exo; p < 0.001, small effect size d = 0.45). The change from primary outcome to 1‐year post‐treatment (0.6Δ more exo; p = 0.06, small effect size d = 0.11) was not significant. Forty per cent (48/120) of participants had a decrease in near exodeviation >3.5∆ (expected test/retest variability) between baseline and the primary outcome examination. Of the 120 participants, one (1.0%) was esophoric at the primary outcome and was subsequently exophoric at 1‐year post‐treatment. Four participants (3.3%) who were orthophoric or exophoric at the primary outcome were esophoric (all ≤3∆) at the 1‐year post‐treatment visit. Conclusion: On average, the near exodeviation was smaller in size immediately after the discontinuation of vergence/accommodative therapy (2.6∆, moderate effect size) and 1 year post vergence/accommodative therapy (2.0∆, small effect size) in children with convergence insufficiency who were successfully treated; 40% had a clinically meaningful decrease in exophoria. The development of near esophoria was rare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eye–hand coordination is a visuomotor task that enables one to look, localize, and touch objects. Eye–hand coordination is known to be poor in children with developmental delay. In this study, we assessed the feasibility of measuring eye–hand coordination task in children with developmental delay using Sanet Vision Integrator (SVI), a commercially available device. Children (age: 3–16 years) with developmental delay and their age-similar typically developing peers were enrolled. White circles (5.5°) on a black background were presented on the SVI touch screen monitor. Participants popped these circles by touching it. Reaction time, accuracy, and an overall performance score were computed. Participants could perform the task from 4 years of age and with visual acuity 20/400 (6/120) or better. This resulted in 85% (17/20) of children with developmental delay and 95% (19/20) of typically developing children completing the task. Children with developmental delay were significantly (p <.001) less accurate (56%) and took longer (2.63 s) to complete the task when compared with their peers (accuracy = 93%, reaction time = 1.46 s). The overall performance score of children with developmental delay was also lower than their peers by a factor of 3.3. Eye–hand coordination performance can be measured and quantified with SVI. The quantification of speed and accuracy is possible and a unitary measure combining speed-accuracy can be computed. The task can be performed both by typically developing children and by children with developmental delay. Thus, it is feasible to measure eye–hand coordination using SVI. Such quantification will be useful for children undergoing interdisciplinary therapies for their medical conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An analysis of the professional perspective of vision therapy (VT) by eye care professionals allows understanding the current controversies about this therapeutic option of which aspects can be improved for its correct application in clinical practice. The aim of the current study was to analyse the perception of VT and the clinical protocols in this context followed among optometrists and ophthalmologists in Spain. A cross-sectional survey among Spanish optometrists and ophthalmologists. Google Forms tool was used to collect data via an online questionnaire divided into 4 sections (40 questions): consent to participate, demographic characteristics, opinion of the professional perspective of VT, and protocols. Only one submission from each email address was permitted by the survey tool. A total of 889 Spanish professionals answered (age, 25–62 years): 848 optometrists (95.4%) and 41 ophthalmologists (4.6%). VT was considered as a scientifically-based procedure by 95.1% of participants, but its recognition and prestige was considered as low. The main cause reported for this was bad reputation or perception of placebo therapy (27.3%). The main indication of VT according to the surveyed professionals was convergence and/or accommodation problems (72.4%). Significant differences were found in the perception of VT among optometrists and ophthalmologists (p ≤ 0.027). A total of 45.3% of professionals reported performing VT in their current clinical practice. A combination of training sessions in office and home was regularly prescribed by 94.5% of them, but with significant variability in the duration of such sessions. VT is perceived by Spanish optometrists and ophthalmologists as a therapeutic option with scientific basis, but with limited recognition and prestige, although with more negative perception among ophthalmologists. A great variability was found in the clinical protocols followed between specialists. Future efforts should be focused on creating internationally recognised evidence-based protocols for this therapeutic option. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Oculomotor dysfunctions are common visual problems following mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). They not only produce vision discomfort and possible loss of visual efficiency, but they may also negatively affect the overall rehabilitative process. It is important for clinicians to be aware of the visual symptoms and the possible treatments for oculomotor dysfunctions. Case Report: A 44-year-old TBI patient with complaints of blurred near vision, visual discomfort, and reduced peripheral vision was examined. He was diagnosed with fusional vergence dysfunction and saccadic dysfunction. The treatment consisted of eight in-office vision therapy sessions every one to two weeks and daily home exercises. The post-treatment examination showed increased vergence ranges, improved stereopsis, and better saccadic function. The patient reported a reduction in visual complaints. Conclusion: This case report indicates that officebased vision therapy is effective in reducing visual symptoms and improving oculomotor dysfunctions after mild traumatic brain injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cerebral visual impairment (CVI) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder and a major cause of low vision in both developed and developing countries. Over the past two decades, atypical causes, such as treatable or preventable conditions like cataracts and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), have emerged. Vision plays a crucial role in guiding our limbic system to achieve its goals, and any delay in visual development can lead to delays in overall developmental milestones. Methods: Demographic information, as well as essential prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal histories, were recorded for all 27 patients. The subjects were divided into three groups: clinically confirmed CVI based on characteristics of CVI (n=9), hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (n=9); and hypoglycemia (n=9). Visual acuity evaluation was conducted using the Teller Acuity Cards and Lea Paddles in a cycles-per-degree format. Due to monocular occlusion resistance, vision was recorded binocularly, as binocular vision is sufficient for functional aspects. Cycloplegic refraction was performed for all children. The Hirschberg test was employed to rule out apparent ocular deviation, while the ophthalmologist examined the anterior segment with a torch or handheld slit lamp and assessed the fundus with an indirect ophthalmoscope. Results: The study observed visual improvement post-vision therapy based on visual acuity, with an overall success rate of 81.48% (22 out of 27). The visual prognosis for different groups was 100% (9 out of 9), 66.67% (6 out of 9), and 77.78% (7 out of 9), respectively. Conclusions: The increased survival rate of preterm and neuro-compromised babies has led to a rise in the prevalence of complex visual impairments like CVI. Although these pathologies may not be visible through MRI, the presence of the CVI marker on OCT confirmed the diagnosis, correlating with classical features of CVI, such as movement preference, light gazing, and variable menace. Additionally, the absence of pathologies in the MRI scan indicated good visual recovery following vision therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the short‐term (1 week after completion of treatment) effect of office‐based vergence and anti‐suppression therapy (OBVAT) on the Office Control Score when compared to observation alone in children with small‐to‐moderate angle intermittent exotropia (IXT). Methods: In this single‐masked (examiner masked), two‐arm, single‐centre randomised clinical trial, 40 participants, 6 to <18 years of age with untreated IXT, were randomly assigned to OBVAT or observation alone. Participants assigned to therapy received 60 min of OBVAT with home reinforcement once per week for 16 weeks. Therapy included vergence, accommodation and anti‐suppression techniques. The primary outcome measure was the comparison of the distance Office Control Score between the two groups at the primary outcome visit (i.e., 17‐week follow‐up visit). Results: At the primary outcome visit, the OBVAT group (n = 20) had a significantly better distance Office Control Score (adjusted mean difference: −0.9; 95% CI: −0.2 to −1.5; p = 0.008; partial eta squared: 0.19) than the observation group (n = 16). Participants from the OBVAT group were more likely than those from the observation group to have ≥1 point of improvement at the 17‐week visit (OBVAT group: 75%; Observation group: 25%; p = 0.006). Conclusions: In this randomised clinical trial of participants aged 6 to <18 years with IXT, we found that the OBVAT group had a significantly better distance Office Control Score than the observation group at the 17‐week visit. This study provides the first data from a randomised clinical trial demonstrating the effectiveness of OBVAT for improving the control of IXT. Eye care practitioners should consider OBVAT as a viable, non‐surgical treatment option for IXT. A full‐scale randomised clinical trial investigating the long‐term effectiveness of OBVAT in treating IXT is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study was aimed at analyzing the efficacy on the improvement of the visual function of a dichoptic online cloud-based platform for the treatment of amblyopia in anisometropic children. Methods: A quasi-experimental (pretest–post-test) study was conducted in 23 subjects with ages from 5 to 15 years old with anisometropic amblyopia combined with additional presence (2 subjects) or not (21 subjects) of microtropia. A total of 30 home-based training sessions of 30 min per session with Bynocs® platform were prescribed for 6 weeks. Results: Amblyopic eye logMAR visual acuity (VA) significantly improved from 0.28 ± 0.24 to 0.13 ± 0.20 after the 6-week treatment (p < 0.001). At baseline, 60.9% of participants had VA in amblyopic eye of 0.20 logMAR or worse, whereas this percentage decreased to 21.7% after treatment. Binocular function (BF) significantly improved from 2.82 ± 1.11 to 2.32 ± 0.94 (p < 0.001). Mean compliance was 92%, 87% and 93% at 2, 4 and 6 weeks of treatment, respectively. Conclusions: In conclusion, home-based dichoptic training with the digital platform evaluated is an effective method to improve amblyopic VA and stereoacuity in children with anisometropic amblyopia combined or not with microtropia.

AIM:To investigate the effect of vision therapy system 4D combined with stereoscopic 3D technology training for the treatment of amblyopia.METHODS: Prospective study. A total of 102 children with amblyopia who attended the clinic from January 2018 to January 2022 were selected, and they were randomly assigned into two groups by computer, with 51 cases in each group. Control group received stereoscopic 3D technology training, while observation group participated in vision therapy system 4D on the basis of control group. Then the overall effective rate, binocular visual function, spherical equivalent(SE), axial length(AL), mean corneal curvature(Km), best corrected visual acuity(BCVA)and visual evoked potential were compared between two groups.RESULTS: The overall efficacy rate was 94.1% in observation group, which was obviously higher than control group(74.5%; P0.05). The latency of two spatial frequencies(1°grid and 15'grid)showed a decline in both groups, and the decline was more notable in observation group than in control group(P

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a growing public health concern among children and adolescents, causing death or permanent disabilities. It affects the individual's life, cognition, behaviour, and psychosocial, physical, and occupational concerns. Cortical visual impairment (CVI) is rare and typically caused by hypoxia, ischemia, and head trauma. The existence of TBI in children increases the likelihood of CVI. Therefore, prompt treatment of TBI should concentrate on preventing secondary injuries linked to worse outcomes such as CVI. Case Report: We report the case of a three-year, eleven-month-old boy accompanied by his parents who presented to the clinic 92 days after a road traffic accident. The parents complained that their child did not look at them or reach for an object when it was presented. The child was hospitalized following multiple injuries and the development of convulsions. He was diagnosed after magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with hypoxic/ischemic brain injury resulting in acquired CVI. Upon examination, it was discovered that the child could not fixate and follow a light and had a refractive error of +5.00 DS OU. Spectacles were prescribed, and a multidisciplinary management plan was customized for the child. Treatment was based on various scientific experiment reports as no specific treatment protocol existed. After four years of intensive vision therapy, special education, and occupational therapy, the child improved in visual acuity and was more independent in performing his daily activities. Conclusion: Regardless of a patient's age and recovery time, this case report highlights the significance of vision therapy as a treatment for CVI secondary to TBI, saving the child from blindness. Clinicians should consider vision therapy in the overall rehabilitation for treating patients with CVI going forward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine whether a typical vision therapy (VT) programme designed to improve visual information processing (VIP) skills is effective in improving these skills and/or academic performance. Methods: We used a double‐blind, randomised clinical trial to compare VIP VT to placebo training. Participating schools referred a sample of 579 early primary school children identified as being within the lower third of their class for literacy. From the referred sample, we identified 247 children eligible to participate (passed visions and auditory processing screening, and VIP performance <34th percentile), 94 of whom participated. Matching IQ, school grade and sex was achieved by sorting hierarchically on these values and then alternately allocating to VT or placebo groups. Both programmes ran for 10 weeks and consisted of 33 h working at home and 4 h working in office. The VT programme was indicative of that employed in Australian paediatric optometry practices, with the placebo programme containing similar activities, except targeting skills within a child's competencies and with specific VIP development activities removed. The main outcome measures were score change on three standardised educational tests (reading comprehension, spelling and mathematics) and six VIP tests, both immediately post‐intervention (PI) and 6 months later. Results: Sixty‐nine children completed the programmes. The VT programme produced no significant improvement in the three educational tests or in five of the six VIP tests compared to the control. The VT programme improved visual sequential memory (VSM) by a moderate amount compared to the control (Cohen's d = 0.57 and 0.52, immediately PI and at 6 months, respectively: p < 0.03 and p < 0.02). Conclusions: The VIP and academic performance benefits from a VT programme were largely identical to those from a control programme, both immediately and 6‐month PI. Placebo effects and general effects such as improvements in executive function and/or regression‐to‐the‐mean could be mistaken for specific programme effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: Anisometropic amblyopia; postural instability; vision therapy EN Anisometropic amblyopia postural instability vision therapy 686 689 4 08/04/23 20230801 NES 230801 Introduction Amblyopia is increasingly recognised as a binocular disorder that includes cerebral visual impairment associated with postural defects.[1] Postural stability is the capability to maintain body equilibrium under dynamic and static conditions.[2] Optimum visual acuity, binocular vision, and ocular motility contribute to postural stability and are disrupted in patients with amblyopia, thus reducing balance control.[2] Active vision therapy includes a series of oculomotor exercises integrating the head, neck, limbs, and entire body with information from sensory modalities.[3] Adult amblyopia is recognised as treatable because of the discovery of plasticity at the synaptic, cellular, and cortical levels, which have been reported to restore defective visual cortical areas in adult after active treatment methods.[4] No studies have described improvement in posture following active vision therapy, although studies have reported poor postural stability in children with amblyopia.[2] Presented here is a case of adult amblyopia with postural instability regaining binocular vision with improved body and head posture after active vision therapy. In conclusion, active vision therapy with motor balance exercises could regain head posture, static and dynamic balance, and restore binocular function in adult anisometropic amblyopia with postural instability. First, an adult patient with anisometropic amblyopia had sufficient motivation to complete active vision therapy exercises, resulting in improved vision. [Extracted from the article]

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of vision therapy (VT) in patients with chronic presumed refractory dry eye disease (DED) and concurrent nonstrabismic binocular vision anomalies (NSBVAs). To propose an algorithmic approach to manage patients with refractory DED. Methods: Thirty-two patients with chronic (>1 year) presumed refractory DED and NSBVA were prospectively evaluated. The baseline dry eye evaluation and comprehensive orthoptic evaluation were done. VT was administered by a trained orthoptist for 2 weeks. The binocular vision (BV) parameters and percentage subjective improvement were assessed after the VT. Results: On evaluation, 12 patients (37.5%) had both DED and NSBVA, and 20 patients (62.5%) had only NSBVA. Twenty-nine patients (90.62%) showed significant improvement in BV parameters following VT. Binocular near point of accommodation (median, range) improved from 17 (8–40) to 12 (5–26) mm (P value < 0.0001), and near point of convergence (median, range) improved from 6 (3–33) to 6 (5–14) (P value 0.004) with VT. Thirty-one patients (96.87%) reported symptomatic improvement after VT, and 62.5% of these showed more than 50% improvement in symptoms. Conclusion: The present study confirms the beneficial role of VT in the treatment of patients with DED with concurrent NSBVA. It is essential to diagnose and treat NSBVA in patients with DED to ensure complete relief of symptoms and patient satisfaction. As there is a significant overlap between symptoms of dry eye disease and that of NSBVA, a complete orthoptic evaluation is recommended in all patients presenting with refractory dry eye disease related symptoms.

Cerebral visual impairment (CVI) has emerged as an important cause of morbidity in young children. CVI children often have a large number of visual symptoms along with motor abnormalities. It is the need of the hour to build an integrated approach towards their management. This article aimed to provide a comprehensive view of the manifestations, evaluation, and management of children with CVI.

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of vision therapy (VT) in patients with chronic presumed refractory dry eye disease (DED) and concurrent nonstrabismic binocular vision anomalies (NSBVAs). To propose an algorithmic approach to manage patients with refractory DED. Methods: Thirty‑two patients with chronic (>1 year) presumed refractory DED and NSBVA were prospectively evaluated. The baseline dry eye evaluation and comprehensive orthoptic evaluation were done. VT was administered by a trained orthoptist for 2 weeks. The binocular vision (BV) parameters and percentage subjective improvement were assessed after the VT. Results: On evaluation, 12 patients (37.5%) had both DED and NSBVA, and 20 patients (62.5%) had only NSBVA. Twenty‑nine patients (90.62%) showed significant improvement in BV parameters following VT. Binocular near point of accommodation (median, range) improved from 17 (8–40) to 12 (5–26) mm (P value < 0.0001), and near point of convergence (median, range) improved from 6 (3–33) to 6 (5– 14) (P value 0.004) with VT. Thirty‑one patients (96.87%) reported symptomatic improvement after VT, and 62.5% of these showed more than 50% improvement in symptoms. Conclusion: The present study confirms the beneficial role of VT in the treatment of patients with DED with concurrent NSBVA. It is essential to diagnose and treat NSBVA in patients with DED to ensure complete relief of symptoms and patient satisfaction. As there is a significant overlap between symptoms of dry eye disease and that of NSBVA, a complete orthoptic evaluation is recommended in all patients presenting with refractory dry eye disease related symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Virtual reality is being increasingly applied in vision therapy. However, the differences in effectiveness, optimal treatment cycle, and prognosis between virtual reality-based vision therapy and traditional therapies remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of virtual reality-based vision therapy and office-based vergence/accommodative therapy in young adults with convergence insufficiency or accommodative dysfunction. Methods The patients were randomly assigned to either the virtual reality-based vision therapy group or the office-based vergence/accommodative therapy group. The vision therapy lasted 12 weeks (1 h/week) in both groups. Binocular visual functions (vergence and accommodation) were measured and a subjective questionnaire-based assessment was performed at baseline and after 6 and 12 weeks of therapy. Results In total, 33 patients with convergence insufficiency and 30 with accommodative dysfunction completed the study. After 12 weeks of treatment for convergence insufficiency, the Convergence Insufficiency Symptom Survey score (F2,31 = 13.704, P

Introduction. Accommodative insufficiency (AI) is a non-strabismic binocular vision anomaly characterized by an inability to focus for near vision, with symptoms of blurred near vision, headache, visual fatigue, and asthenopic symptoms. Purpose. To evaluate the efficacy of Plus Lens treatment, and Flipper glasses in the improvement of Accommodative Amplitude (AA) and Near Point of Accommodation (NPA) in Accommodative insufficiency (AI). Methods. A prospective study of 50 children aged 8-15years with distance heterophoria (< 2 pd), near heterophoria(< 6 pd), Near Point of Convergence (NPC) (10 cm/better on Royal Air Force (RAF) rule), and NPA (worse than 10 cm, 15d – 2.5* age) were recruited during July 2018 to June 2019 and followed up for 3months. Measurements including NPC, NPA, and AA were measured in each eye of the Plus Lens Reading Addition(PLRA) and Flipper group. Results. Accommodative Insufficiency is higher in female children 67% in PLRA and 60% in the Flipper group with a mean age of 12.73 years in the PLRA group and 12.93 years in the Flipper group. NPA improved from 15.07 cm to 14.4 cm at 4 weeks, 11.87 cm at 8 weeks, and 9.33 cm at 12 weeks of treatment with PLRA. The NPA improved from 15.73 cm to 12.4 cm at 4 weeks, 10.93 cm at 8 weeks, and 8.27 cm at 12 weeks of treatment with Flipper glasses. AA improved from 6.73 D to 7.03 D at 4 weeks, 8.5 D at 8 weeks, and 10.73 D at 12 weeks of treatment with PLRA. The AA improved from 6.33 D to 8.03 D at 4 weeks, 9.13 D at 8 weeks, and 11.73 D at 12 weeks of treatment with Flipper glasses. Children reported good compliance and no longer experienced blur or headache. Conclusion. A higher level of improvement in NPA and AA is observed in the Flipper group. Faster improvement is seen in the Flipper group, and treatment time needed will be shorter in the Flipper group, but it is more difficult to motivate subjects to do orthoptic exercises as compared to wearing reading glasses.

Cerebral visual impairment (CVI) has emerged as an important cause of morbidity in young children. CVI children often have a large number of visual symptoms along with motor abnormalities. It is the need of the hour to build an integrated approach towards their management. This article aimed to provide a comprehensive view of the manifestations, evaluation, and management of children with CVI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eye-tracking technologies (ETs) and serious games (SGs) have emerged as new methods promising better support for vision screening and training. Previous research has shown the practicality of eye-tracking technology for vision screening in health care, but there remains a need for studies showing that the effective utilization of SGs and ETs are beneficial for vision training. This study investigates the feasibility of SGs and ETs for vision training by designing, developing, and evaluating a prototype influenced by commercially available games, based on a battery of exercises previously defined by vision experts. Data were collected from five participants, including a vision teacher, through a user experience questionnaire (UEQ) following a mixed method. Data analysis of the UEQ results and interviews highlighted the current challenges and positive attitudes in using SGs and ET for vision training. In conjunction with UEQ indicators such as attractiveness and perspicuity, the stimulation of the vision training battery based on the user experience provided insights into using ETs and further developing SGs to better approach different eye movements for vision training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vision therapy, also known as behavioral therapy, is theorized by its practitioners to treat a variety of visual disorders, including learning disability in children. However, the utility of vision therapy to treat various learning disabilities is challenged by the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, and the American Association of Certified Orthoptists. The purpose of this review is to (1) provide an overview of vision therapy, (2) evaluate the evidence for vision therapy, and (3) give practical recommendations for pediatric primary care providers regarding vision therapy. A review of the literature demonstrates evidence that vision therapy is useful in the management of convergence insufficiency only. There is insufficient evidence to recommend in-office vision therapy for the management of other types of strabismus, amblyopia, or learning disability in the pediatric population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a critical global health issue characterized by perturbance in cerebral function attributed to mechanical force. TBI often precipitates significant visual impairment that negatively impacts the patients' quality of life. This review examines the effects of TBI on visual function from a neuro-ophthalmological perspective, focusing on the assessment, diagnostics, and management of associated sequelae., Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar to garner and collate relevant data., Results: TBI may result in visual field defects, ocular motor dysfunction, insufficiency of accommodation, and photosensitivity. Early detection remains a profound challenge, partly due to a dearth of standardized protocols for evaluating visual impairment. Diagnostic methodologies include visual field testing, ocular motility assessments, and fundus photography, while rehabilitation approaches encompass vision therapy and low-vision rehabilitation., Conclusion: Establishing hospital-based multidisciplinary teams is essential for effectively addressing TBI-related visual impairment. Future research should prioritize evidence-based treatment protocols and explore diverse vision rehabilitation strategies through large-scale studies., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Fellowship of Postgraduate Medicine. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Abstract Background There is a critical period for visual development, conventionally considered to be the first 6 years of life. Children aged 7 years and older are significantly less responsive to amblyopia treatment. This study investigated the efficacy of binocular vision therapy in amblyopic children aged 7–10 years. Methods This retrospective study enrolled 36 children with unilateral amblyopia who were divided into a case group (receiving vision therapy, optical correction, and part-time patching of the weaker eye) and a control group (receiving optical correction and part-time patching of the weaker eye). Visual acuity (VA) was measured at baseline, at the 3-month, 6-month, and 9-month visits, and 3 months after cessation of treatment. Results There were 19 subjects in the case group and 17 subjects in the control group. Mean VA in the case group improved from 0.39 ± 0.24 logMAR at baseline to 0.10 ± 0.23 logMAR at the endpoint of treatment (p

Background: There is a critical period for visual development, conventionally considered to be the first 6 years of life. Children aged 7 years and older are significantly less responsive to amblyopia treatment. This study investigated the efficacy of binocular vision therapy in amblyopic children aged 7–10 years. Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 36 children with unilateral amblyopia who were divided into a case group (receiving vision therapy, optical correction, and part-time patching of the weaker eye) and a control group (receiving optical correction and part-time patching of the weaker eye). Visual acuity (VA) was measured at baseline, at the 3-month, 6-month, and 9-month visits, and 3 months after cessation of treatment. Results: There were 19 subjects in the case group and 17 subjects in the control group. Mean VA in the case group improved from 0.39 ± 0.24 logMAR at baseline to 0.10 ± 0.23 logMAR at the endpoint of treatment (p < 0.001, paired t-test). Mean VA in the control group improved from 0.64 ± 0.30 logMAR at baseline to 0.52 ± 0.27 logMAR at the endpoint of treatment (p = 0.015, paired t-test). The improvement was significantly greater in the case group than in the control group (p = 0.006, two-samples independent t-test). All subjects underwent follow-up examinations within 6 to 12 months. There was no regression of VA in the case group 3 months after cessation of vision therapy. The patients in the case group who received visual therapy were with better VA improvement then patients with only optic correction and patching. Conclusions: Vision therapy combined with conventional treatment (optical correction and part-time patching) is more effective than conventional treatment alone in children aged 7–10 years with unilateral refractive amblyopia. The treatment results not only in greater vision gain, but also in shorter duration of treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, weekly vision therapy sessions were discontinued as patients were unable to receive in-person treatment. The University Eye Center (UEC) implemented several measures to foster continuity of care. Among the systems implemented were asynchronous and synchronous telehealth platforms: the Binovi smart phone application and the OTTO virtual visit platform, respectively. Methods: A thirteen-question survey was sent to all 232 UEC patients whose vision therapy was interrupted by the pandemic. The survey asked patients to rate their overall satisfaction and visual symptoms with the newly implemented therapeutic management modalities offered between March and August 2020. Sixty-three completed surveys were received. Comparison between the different therapeutic management modalities included overall satisfaction and visual symptom reduction with treatment. Results: Patients who used visually based telehealth (either synchronous or asynchronous) reported slightly higher overall satisfaction (mean: 4.43 +/-0.65) as compared to those who did not (4.04 +/- 1.09). There was no statistical difference between the groups (p-value 0.216). Patients who used visually based telehealth (either synchronous or asynchronous) reported a significant reduction in visual symptoms, with 66.7% reporting a significant decrease in symptoms, as compared to those who did not use visually based telehealth, with only 27.1% reporting a significant decrease in symptoms in the latter case (p-value 0.035). Conclusion: When in-office therapy is unavailable, interactive asynchronous or synchronous visually based telehealth modalities, such as Binovi and OTTO, are of benefit in the reduction of visual symptoms with good patient satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of digital devices provides a wide range of possibilities for measuring and improving visual function, including concepts such as perceptual learning and dichoptic therapy. Different technologies can be used to apply these concepts, including, in recent years, the introduction of virtual reality (VR) systems. A preliminary experience in treating anisometropic amblyopia through an immersive VR device and using prototype software is described. A total of 4 children were treated by performing 18 office-based sessions. Results showed that distance VA in amblyopic eyes remained constant in two subjects, whereas the younger subjects improved after the training. Near VA improved in three subjects. All subjects showed an increase in the stereopsis of at least one step, with three subjects showing a final stereopsis of a 60 s arc. A total of three subjects showed an increase of approximately 0.5 CS units for the spatial frequency of 3 cpd after the training. Results from this pilot study suggest that visual training based on perceptual learning through an immersive VR environment could be a viable treatment for improving CS, VA, and stereopsis in some children with anisometropic amblyopia. Future studies should support these preliminary results.

This retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of the combined treatment of occlusion and active vision therapy in a total of 27 amblyopic children, including 14 strabismic and 13 anisometropic cases. For such purpose, changes in distance and near visual acuity as well as in the binocular function was evaluated during a two-year follow-up. In both amblyopia groups, significant improvements were found in distance and near visual acuity in the non-dominant eye (p < 0.001). In the strabismic amblyopia group, the percentage of patients with binocular function score (BF) > 3.3 decreased significantly from a baseline value of 64.3% to a two-year follow-up value of 7.1% (p < 0.001). In the anisometropic amblyopia group, this percentage also decreased significantly from a baseline value of 15.4% to a two-year follow-up value of 0.0% (p < 0.001). No recurrences were observed in the anisometropic amblyopia group, whereas recurrence occurred in two cases of the strabismic amblyopia group after finishing the vision rehabilitation process. In conclusion, the combined approach of the treatment evaluated is efficacious for providing an improvement in visual acuity and binocular function in both anisometropic and strabismic amblyopia, which was maintained over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While Virtual Reality (VR) has gained significant attention in different domains of health care and promises benefits for managing vision disturbances, no bibliometric analysis focuses on its use in vision therapy. This study aims to analyze and visualize the scientific literature indexed in the Web of Science databases by visualizing bibliometric indicators illustrating publication trends from 2001. The findings provide a better understanding of the state-of-the-art of existing vision therapy research utilizing VR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Individuals who have suffered a concussion/mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) frequently report symptoms associated with vestibular and/or oculomotor dysfunction (VOD) like dizziness, nausea, fatigue, brain fog, headache, gait and neurocognitive impairments which are associated with the development of chronic symptoms. The Vestibular/Ocular Motor Screening (VOMS) tool has been established as a reliable and clinically relevant complement to use alongside a battery of post-concussion tests to improve screening and referral for further evaluation and treatment of VOD. OBJECTIVES: This paper will review the pathoanatomy and symptomatology of common vestibular and oculomotor disorders after concussion, as well as the utility of the VOMS to assist in diagnosis, referral, and management. METHODS: Primary articles were identified using a search via PubMed, Google Scholar, OneSearch, and CINAHL. Search key terms were combinations of "mild traumatic brain injury" or "concussion" or "pursuit" or "accommodation" or "vergence" or "convergence insufficiency" or "saccades" or "vestibulo-ocular reflex" or "vestibular ocular motor screen" or "vestibular rehabilitation", or "vision rehabilitation" including adult and pediatric populations that were published in print or electronically from 1989 to 2021 in English. Classic papers on anatomy of eye movements, vestibular system and pathological changes in mTBI were also included, regardless of publication date. RESULTS: Objective impairments are commonly found during testing of smooth pursuit, saccades, vergence, accommodation, vestibular ocular reflex, and visual motion sensitivity after mTBI. These deficits can be actively treated with vestibular physical therapy and oculomotor/neuro-optometric vision therapy. VOMS is an efficient and reliable tool that can be used by all healthcare and rehabilitation providers to aid in diagnosis of post-concussion VOD, to help facilitate the decision to refer for further evaluation and treatment to expedite symptomatic post-concussion recovery. CONCLUSIONS: VOD is common after concussion in acute, post-acute, and chronic phases. Once areas of impairments are identified through proper assessment, clinicians can maximize recovery by referring to vestibular physical therapy and/or neuro-optometry to design a targeted treatment program to address individual deficits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Visual dysfunctions are common in individuals following concussion/mild traumatic brain injury (C/mTBI). Many deficits have been uncovered in their oculomotor system, such as in the pupil and accommodation. OBJECTIVE: To describe the static and dynamic abnormalities in the pupillary and accommodative systems in those with C/mTBI. This includes both diagnostic and therapeutic aspects, with emphasis on objectively-based test findings, as well as their basic and clinical ramifications. METHODS: PubMed, Google Scholar, and Semantic Scholar databases were searched from 1980–2020, using key words of accommodation, pupil, vision therapy, vision rehabilitation, and objective testing, for peer-reviewed papers, as well as related textbooks in the area, in those with C/mTBI. RESULTS: For both systems, most static and dynamic response parameters were abnormal: they were typically reduced, slowed, delayed, and/or more variable. Most of the abnormal accommodative parameters could be significantly improved with vision therapy. CONCLUSIONS: For both systems, most response parameters were abnormal, which could explain their visual symptoms and related problems. For accommodation, the improvements following vision therapy suggest the presence of considerable visual system plasticity, even in older adults with chronic brain injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate benefits of binocular vision and ocular motility training in patients with long-term sequelae after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Twenty-eight mTBI (concussion) patients from 25 to 61 years of age with oculomotor dysfunction were selected by optometric examination. The vision therapy was designed to improve convergence, pursuit and saccades as well as to increase fusional reserves. The vision therapy was conducted by a neurooptometrist and a speech therapist, and took place weekly for 1 hour during 10 continuous weeks. Between vision training sessions, patients trained at home for 15–20 minutes daily. Before and after vision therapy, patients completed a test battery including the Groffman Visual Tracing Test, King-Devick test (K-D), a reading speed test, Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20) and patient interviews based on a modified version of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM). Twenty-seven patients completed the vision therapy. After the therapy, improvements were measured on all test parameters, e.g. Groffman Visual Tracing Test (p < 0.05), K-D-Test (p = 0.01), Reading Speed Test (p < 0.01) and MFI-20 total (p < 0.05). The results for the modified COPM were significantly improved for both performance and satisfaction (0.0001 < p < 0.01). Vision therapy improved fixation stability and endurance. Reading speed measured by the numbers of saccades and regressions time consumption per read word increased. There was also an improvement in visual attention, possibly making patients safer in traffic and outdoor activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Virtual reality is being increasingly applied in vision therapy. However, the differences in effectiveness, optimal treatment cycle, and prognosis between virtual reality-based vision therapy and traditional therapies remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of virtual reality-based vision therapy and office-based vergence/accommodative therapy in young adults with convergence insufficiency or accommodative dysfunction.Methods: The patients were randomly assigned to either the virtual reality-based vision therapy group or the office-based vergence/accommodative therapy group. The vision therapy lasted 12 weeks (1 h/week) in both groups. Binocular visual functions (vergence and accommodation) were measured and a subjective questionnaire-based assessment was performed at baseline and after 6 and 12 weeks of therapy.Results: In total, 33 patients with convergence insufficiency and 30 with accommodative dysfunction completed the study. After 12 weeks of treatment for convergence insufficiency, the Convergence Insufficiency Symptom Survey score (F2,31 = 13.704, P < 0.001), near point of convergence (F2,31 = 21.774, P < 0.001), positive fusional vergence (F2,31 = 71.766, P < 0.001), and near horizontal phoria (F2,31 = 16.482, P < 0.001) improved significantly in both groups. Moreover, the monocular accommodative amplitude (F2,25 = 22.154, P < 0.001) and monocular accommodative facility (F2,25 = 86.164, P < 0.001) improved significantly in both groups after 12 weeks of treatment. A statistically significant difference was observed in monocular accommodative facility (F1,25 = 8.140, P = 0.009) between the two groups, but not in other vergence and accommodative functions (0.098 < P < 0.687).Conclusion: Virtual reality-based vision therapy significantly improved binocular vision functions and symptoms in patients with convergence insufficiency and accommodative dysfunction, thereby suggesting its effectiveness as a new optional or additional treatment for young adults with these conditions.Trial Registration: This study was registered at the Chinese Clinical Trials Registry on 16/04/2019 (identifier: ChiCTR1900022556 ). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the United States, there is an increasing number of teenagers and youth who are experiencing mental health, emotional, or behavioral disorders. Treatment for these disorders ranges from outpatient, one-on-one counseling to group therapy to inpatient hospital admission. Residential youth rehabilitation facilities, where adolescents receive around-the-clock care and supervision, are one option for intensive treatment. Many youth rehabilitation facilities have onsite medical clinics, but few offer optometric vision therapy as an included aspect of care. One residential rehabilitation facility for at-risk youth, Youth Villages, does offer full-scope optometric care, including vision therapy, to its residents, in partnership with Southern College of Optometry. The six case summaries included here outline some of the unique challenges faced in implementing vision therapy in an unconventional clinical setting, including psychiatric, attentional, and behavioral obstacles, as well as administrative issues, that can affect performance in vision therapy and its overall efficacy. Despite the hurdles that arise in such a facility, there is significant potential for positive vision therapy outcomes, and the opportunity is vast to provide care for youth in great need. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Accommodative insufficiency (AI) is a non-strabismic binocular vision anomaly characterized by an inability to focus for near vision, with symptoms of blurred near vision, headache, visual fatigue, and asthenopic symptoms. Purpose. To evaluate the efficacy of Plus Lens treatment, and Flipper glasses in the improvement of Accommodative Amplitude (AA) and Near Point of Accommodation (NPA) in Accommodative insufficiency (AI). Methods. A prospective study of 50 children aged 8-15years with distance heterophoria (< 2 pd), near heterophoria(< 6 pd), Near Point of Convergence (NPC) (10 cm/better on Royal Air Force (RAF) rule), and NPA (worse than 10 cm, 15d - 2.5* age) were recruited during July 2018 to June 2019 and followed up for 3months. Measurements including NPC, NPA, and AA were measured in each eye of the Plus Lens Reading Addition(PLRA) and Flipper group. Results. Accommodative Insufficiency is higher in female children 67% in PLRA and 60% in the Flipper group with a mean age of 12.73 years in the PLRA group and 12.93 years in the Flipper group. NPA improved from 15.07 cm to 14.4 cm at 4 weeks, 11.87 cm at 8 weeks, and 9.33 cm at 12 weeks of treatment with PLRA. The NPA improved from 15.73 cm to 12.4 cm at 4 weeks, 10.93 cm at 8 weeks, and 8.27 cm at 12 weeks of treatment with Flipper glasses. AA improved from 6.73 D to 7.03 D at 4 weeks, 8.5 D at 8 weeks, and 10.73 D at 12 weeks of treatment with PLRA. The AA improved from 6.33 D to 8.03 D at 4 weeks, 9.13 D at 8 weeks, and 11.73 D at 12 weeks of treatment with Flipper glasses. Children reported good compliance and no longer experienced blur or headache. Conclusion. A higher level of improvement in NPA and AA is observed in the Flipper group. Faster improvement is seen in the Flipper group, and treatment time needed will be shorter in the Flipper group, but it is more difficult to motivate subjects to do orthoptic exercises as compared to wearing reading glasses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jameel Rizwana Hussaindeen,1,2 Amirthaa Murali2 1Binocular Vision Clinic, Sankara Nethralaya, Unit of Medical Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai 600006, India; 2Elite School of Optometry (in Collaboration with SASTRA Deemed University), Unit of Medical Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai 600016, IndiaCorrespondence: Jameel Rizwana HussaindeenBinocular Vision Clinic, Sankara Nethralaya, Unit of Medical Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, 18, College Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600006, IndiaTel +91-44-42271626Fax +91-44-28254180Email rizwana@snmail.orgPurpose: Accommodative insufficiency (AI), defined as the inability to stimulate accommodation in pre-presbyopic individuals, has gained much attention over recent years. Despite the enormity of the available information, there is a significant lack of clarity regarding the criteria for definition, methodology adopted for testing and diagnosis, and the varied prevalence across the globe. This review aims to gather evidence that is pertinent to the prevalence, impact and efficacy of available treatment options for AI.Methods: PubMed, Google Scholar and Cochrane Collaboration search engines were used with the keywords prevalence, accommodative insufficiency, symptoms, plus lens, vision therapy and treatment. Peer-reviewed articles published between 1992 and 2019 were included in the review. After reviewing the studies for study methodology and robustness, 83 articles were chosen for this literature review.Results: The prevalence of AI ranges between < 1.00% and 61.6% across studies. The prevalence shows considerable variation across ethnicities and age groups. There is significant variation in the study methodology, diagnostic criteria and number of tests performed to arrive at the diagnosis. Not many studies have explored the prevalence beyond 20 years of age. The prevalence of AI is high among children with special needs. There is no high-quality evidence regarding the standard treatment protocol for AI. Both vision therapy and low plus lenses have shown efficacy in independent studies, and no studies have compared these two treatment options.Conclusion: The understanding of AI prevalence is currently limited owing to the lack of a standard set of diagnostic criteria and wide variations in the study methodology. There is a lack of high-quality evidence suggesting the best possible treatment for AI. The current gaps in the literature have been identified and future scope for exploration is elucidated.Keywords: accommodation insufficiency, amplitude of accommodation, lag of accommodation, asthenopia, vision therapy, binocular vision, accommodative facility, plus lens

Strabismic amblyopia is characterized by a distorted spatial perception. In this condition, the neurofunctional disorder occurring during first years of life provoke several monocular and binocular anomalies such as crowding, deficits in the accommodative response, contrast sensitivity, and ocular motility abilities. The inhibition of the binocular function of the brain by the misaligned amblyopic eye induces a binocular imbalance leading to interocular suppression and the reduction or lack of stereoacuity. Passive treatments such as occlusion, optical and/or pharmacological penalization, and Bangerter foils has been demonstrated to be potentially useful treatments for strabismic amblyopia. Recent researches have proved new pharmacological options to improve and maintain visual acuity after occlusion treatment in strabismic amblyopia. Likewise, the active vision therapy, in the last years, is becoming a very relevant therapeutic option in combination with passive treatments, especially during and after monocular therapy, in the attempt of recovering the imbalanced binocular vision.

Currently, there are three platforms that can be used for home therapy logs and patient education: Binovi, NeuroVisual Tracker, and Anteo. Some of these platforms also allow for home testing and computer-aided therapy modules. All three require doctor-prescribed therapy. These apps can be used to aid in patient weekly visits, and some doctors/therapists choose to use them for remote/ distance therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic forced a rapid transition to telehealth vision therapy in order to ensure the continuation of care for patients at the Arizona College of Optometry. This editorial features the authors' reflections and opinions regarding the modality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]